The Huskies gained their third win over a top ten team this season by beating the seventh ranked West Virginia Mountaineers. Kemba Walker scored 21 points to lead all scorers while leading his team to a victory.
The Huskies are 3-1 since Jim Calhoun came back after a medical leave for 23 days. During his leave of absence UConn was 3-4.
The Mountaineers had to finish the game without coach Bob Huggins, who received two technical fouls and was ejected in the last minute of Monday’s game. Jim Calhoun also picked up a technical foul early in the game.
Jerome Dyson added 17 points and Stanley Robinson had 15 points and 13 boards for the Huskies.
Jim Calhoun called the game a “street fight”. The game included 46 personal fouls. Connecticut shot 30 for 42 from the line while the Mountaineers shot 12 for 23 from the line.
Connecticut out-rebounded West Virginia 35-27. When West Virginia has been out rebounded, their record has been 1-3.
UCONN held the lead from about 2 minutes into the first half. At half, the higher-ranked Mountaineers were down nine. After that, it was all Huskies basketball with some big runs by the Mountaineers cutting into the deficit and even coming within one point of the lead.
Connecticut improved their NCAA tournament resume with another top ten upset. They won over former no. 1 Texas last month and no.3 Villanova last week.
With three games left for the Huskies and a relatively easy schedule, will they make the NCAA tournament? Maybe the Huskies have just survived to fight another day.The team is still on the bubble and must win all of their final games.
By Sam Valentin